February 16, 2022

Getting cadets to graduation: A senior NCO speaks out on his special duty as an academy military trainer

Master Sgt. Brian Kelsey, an academy military trainer at the Air Force Academy, is shown here in his Vandenberg Hall office. Story by Ray Bowden, Photo by Trevor Cokley U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - If you’re assigned to cadet squadron 12 at the Air Force Academy and need advice, talk to Master Sgt. Brian Kelsey. If you want to chat about skiing, rock climbing, his four children or woodworking, he’s good with that, too. Kelsey is the squadron’s lead academy military trainer, one of more than 100 enlisted airmen leading, training and serving as military role models for the school’s...

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June 27, 2022

‘You don’t want easy’: AF Academy Basic Cadet Training begins June 23

(Joshua Armstrong/U.S. Air Force Academy) Story by Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – “This place is tough, but it’s supposed to be tough.” U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark said this and more to the scores of young men and women reporting to the base June 23 to begin Basic Cadet Training. “This place will change your life if you let it,” he said to a group of Academy appointees. “It’s not going to be easy but you don’t want ‘easy,’ right?” Basic Cadet Training is a six-week program...

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June 27, 2022

‘Hit the ground running’: Academy’s Prep School gets new commander

(Josh Armstrong/U.S. Air Force Academy) From right: Col. Michael Cornelius, commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory school, shares a moment with Col. Melissa Youderian before the official change of command ceremony which saw leadership of the Prep School transfer from Youderian to Cornelius, June 24, 2022. Story by Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – A career weapons systems officer and graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy began his tour of duty as commander of the institution’s Prep School June 24. Col. Michael Cornelius takes over the duties of the Prep...

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May 25, 2022

The Breakdown: Stats on the Air Force Academy’s class of ‘22

(Class of 2022. Photo/Trevor Cokley) By Ray Bowden, U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Nearly 1,000 Air Force and Space Force officers graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in a ceremony at Falcon Stadium May 25. In all, 863 class of ’22 cadets were commissioned into the Air Force and 94 were commissioned into the Space Force as second lieutenants. Sixteen international cadets graduated with their U.S. classmates. The Breakdown This information is based on data from the Academy’s operations and analysis office released May 23. -- 1,434 men and women received appointments...

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May 20, 2022

171 cadet-candidates graduate from Academy’s prep school

Col. Melissa Youderian, commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, congratulates Cadet Candidate Bryce Matthew Leapart during the prep school's graduation ceremony, May 16, 2022 in Arnold Hall. (Photo by Justin Pacheco) By Tech. Sgt. Zach Vaughn U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Scores of cadet-candidates celebrated their graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School on May 16, 2022. All told, 171 cadet-candidates graduated after completing an uncompromising ten-month program to develop their academic, military and athletic skills, said Col. Melissa Youderian, U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School commander. “It wasn’t easy, but...

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April 21, 2022

U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel restoration project expands

Efforts to preserve national historic landmark extend completion date to 2027 (Photo by Trevor Cokley) Story by Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A meticulous renovation project to revamp the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel became even more painstaking with the discovery of the extent of asbestos throughout the iconic 60 year old building. Discovering more asbestos than originally predicted adds a new layer of complexity to the renovations that began in September 2019, but the plan to restore every facet of the building to its original state remains the same, said Lt. Gen....

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March 16, 2022

Cadets close out Recognition challenges at AF Academy

Basic cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy run toward Cathedral Rock to bring Recognition to a close, March 12, 2022. The traditional "Run to the Rock" is one of the final activities for basic cadets during Recognition, three days of rigorous teambuilding and leadership challenges.  Story by Ray Bowden, photos by Joshua Armstrong U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Freshmen at the Air Force Academy brought Recognition to a close March 12 with “Run to the Rock,” a trek to Cathedral Rock. The march ends Recognition, three days of training for freshmen to demonstrate...

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March 11, 2022

AF Academy’s top former enlisted role model for cadets retires

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bob Vasquez encourages basic cadets during a drill at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Vasquez retired from his position as the Cadet Wing’s curriculum branch manager, Feb. 28, 2022 and worked with cadets for 20 years after retiring from active duty in 2002. (U.S. Air Force Academy photo) By Julie Imada, Center for Character and Leadership Development U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - A former chief master sergeant popular at the Air Force Academy, retired from his position as the Cadet wing’s curriculum branch manager, Feb. 28. Bob Vasquez took on several roles at the Academy...

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December 16, 2024

The Peak Performance Center: fostering strong mental health

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class MacKenzie Marti reads a Peak Performance Center brochure in the center’s office in Vandenberg Hall Dec. 5, 2024. Marti, an Aeronautical Engineering major, serves the center as a peer counselor and supports other cadets on a variety of issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – At the U.S. Air Force Academy, cadets have tools available to help them reach their full potential as future officers. The Peak Performance Center offers a range of holistic services focused on...

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